King Hans gives thanks for the killing of Knut Alvsson
DN 8/462 · 27 Septbr. 1502 · Kalundborg
What the letter says
King Hans writes from Kalundborg on 27 September 1502 to herr Henrik Krummedike. He has received Henrik's letter about how Henrik came to Tønsberg and Oslo and besieged Akershus, and how herr Knut Alvsson received safe conduct, came and put forward strange and cunning words and was slain together with some of his servants. Henrik has since put down the men Knut had gathered, taken Akershus and handed over Tønsberg to Mats Olsson and Akershus to Knut Knutsson. The king thanks him for loyal service and would like to speak with him soon.
The letter in modern English
Hans, by the grace of God king of Denmark, Sweden, Norway etc., duke of Schleswig and of Holstein, Stormarn and Dithmarschen. Our special favour beforehand. Dear herr Henrik, today we received here your letter about how things have gone for you since you came to Tønsberg and Oslo, and how you besieged Akershus. Herr Knut Alvsson asked for and received safe conduct, came and put forward some strange and cunning words [uncertain reading] and was slain for it together with some of his servants. Afterwards you put down the men he had gathered, and took our castle of Akershus, and you now hold it under the castle oath [hold the castle by oath to the king, uncertain reading]. Together with your fellows you have handed over Tønsberg to Mats Olsson and Akershus to Knut Knutsson, with more words that your letter and report contain. We have understood this well, and we can see that you have shown yourself a loyal dannemann for our sake. For this we thank you gladly and warmly, and we will gladly and warmly repay it in whatever way we can. We would gladly speak with you in person as soon as you can conveniently come to us, about some special matters we have to discuss with you. With this we commend you to God. Written at our castle of Kalundborg in the year after God's birth 1502. Under our signet. The day of Saints Cosmas and Damian [27 September].
Original text
Hanss met gudz nade Danmarcks Sueriges Norges etc. koningh hertug i Sleswiig oc i Holtzstenn Stormarnn oc Ditmerskenn. Wor sønnerlig gunst tillfornn. Kiere her Henric nw i dag finge wij her ethers schriffuelsse ludendes hworledes ether er ganget i handht siden i komme till Tonsbergh oc Aslaa oc hworledes i belagde Agershwss oc at her Knwd Alffson begerde oc fick leyde oc kom oc framsette nagen selstsyne oc behende ord oc wortte ther offuer slagen met nogre hanss thienere oc siden vndryctte thet
Background
The letter is the king's reply to Krummedike's report on the killing of 18 August 1502. The king speaks of the killing without a word about Knut having come under safe conduct, a guarantee of safe passage, and he thanks Krummedike for showing himself a loyal dannemann, that is an honourable and faithful man. This suggests that the king accepted Krummedike's account, the same one that formed the basis of the verdict in Oslo (DN 5/990). With Akershus and Tønsberg in the hands of the king's men, the rising in eastern Norway was put down. Knut Knutsson (Baad) was a courtier of the king and should be kept apart from Knut Alvsson.
People: Knut Alvsson